Fishing the North Coast: Calm seas headed our way

A group of happy anglers show off their nice catch of king salmon from a recent trip out of Eureka. They were fishing aboard the Reel Steel with captain Tim Klassen, pictured in back. After a week of wind and rough seas, the weekend is looking favorable for boats headed offshore.

The talk amongst salmon anglers for the last seven to 10 days was all about the wind - and did it ever blow. The lone exception was Sunday, when the wind relented long enough for the ocean to calm and the boats made a mad dash to the salmon grounds. The boats basically picked up right where they left off last week, scoring easy limits of salmon straight out of the entrance in 170 feet of water. But that turned out to be just a tease as the wind howled for the next three days. But alas, the weather pattern is finally changing and it looks like we'll be able to spend some days on the water. Thursday is looking like the first real fishable day, and the conditions are forecasted to improve through the weekend.

The calm ocean should also improve the chances of success for the anglers looking to target redtail perch and razor clams. Both of these are tough to catch when the ocean is rough.

Weekend marine forecast

After a week or so of nasty wind and choppy waters, we're finally getting some fishable forecasts. Ocean conditions for the weekend are calling for three to four-foot swells and one-foot wind waves. Light winds up to eight knots will be blowing out of the NW, but it looks like we'll have quite a few fishable days in front of us. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For up-to-date weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov/eureka/. You can also call the National Weather Service at (707) 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at (707) 443-6484.

Statewide free fishing day

On July 7, people may fish California's waters without a sport fishing license. All regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect. Every angler must have the appropriate report card if fishing for salmon (in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity River systems), steelhead or sturgeon. For more information visit, www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/freefishdays.html.

The current round of minus tides will continue through Sunday, June 24 and according to John Corbett of Eureka's Pacific Outfitters, the weekend should be prime for razor clam digging. "With the ocean once again calm, I would expect the clamming to be good. It's really tough to find them when the surf is pounding," Corbett said. The next set of fishable minus tides will begin on Monday, July 2. The weekend should also offer a good opportunity to catch redtail perch off the beaches. "I'm sure all the usual spots are full of perch and it looks like we finally have some good conditions. Elk River Beach is also a good spot this time of year," Corbett added.

Tuna water getting close

According to Captain Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing, there's a mass of 58-degree water sitting straight off of Shelter Cove. "As of Wednesday, it was about 50 miles southwest of Eureka. If the ocean stays as calm as predicted, I would imagine a few boats out of Eureka will be making the run," Klassen added.

The Oceans:

Eureka

Having spent way too many days tied up at the dock, both Skipper Phil Glenn of Shellback Sport Fishing and Captain Tim Klassen on the Reel Steel took advantage of last Sunday's break in the weather and ran west to where they last left the salmon biting. And it didn't take long to determine the fish were still there. In less than a couple hours of fishing around the 45 line in 175 feet of water, both boats were limited with a nice grade of kings up to 20 pounds. Captain Gary Blasi of Full Throttle Sport Fishing, as well as Glenn and Klassen, will all be running daily trips beginning Thursday.

Shelter Cove

There isn't much happening on the fishing front reports Russ Thomas of Mario's Marina in Shelter Cove. "The wind has been blowing and not many boats have been going out, maybe a couple a day. I did hear of three salmon caught on Monday, all around the bell, but that has been about it. Until we get a break from the wind, there isn't going to be much action here," Thomas added.

Trinidad

According to Phil Pritting of Eureka's Englund Marine, a few boats ventured out on Wednesday and found a bunch of hungry salmon, with easy limits reported for everyone. "I heard the fishing was red-hot in 120 to 140 feet of water and the fish were shallow," Pritting added.

Crescent City

The only action we've had over the last week has been crabbing reports Chris Hegnes of Crescent City's Englund Marine. "The wind has been blowing for a week and not many boats have been going out. The lone bright spot has been the crabbing. Inside the harbor as well as along South Beach have been two of more popular spots," Hegnes said. The wind did lie down on Wednesday and the offshore forecast looks good throughout the weekend.

The Rivers:

Lower Klamath

According to Guide Mike Coopman of Mike Coopman's Guide Service, the springer action on the Klamath remains slow, but a few fish are being caught. "I'd say the average is about one fish per boat, with the occasional good day where you could land three or four. But those days have been few and far between," Coopman added.

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